Peritoneal Dialysis Prehabilitation: Background and Protocol for the CORE-PD Pilot Trial

Physical function impairment and decline is common for people living with kidney failure and receiving peritoneal dialysis. Consequently, this population experience unfavourable health outcomes including loss of independence, reduced life participation and overall poor quality of life. Physical function is a patient identified research priority with strategies to mitigate decline critical, however, yet to be rigorously explored and moreover, implemented as part of routine care. Prehabilitation refers to a process of improving physical function prior to a surgery or medical treatment and, may represent a novel strategy to prepare people who are due to commence peritoneal dialysis treatment.